what happens after a fall is arrested? suspension trauma ... · minute if conditions exist to...
TRANSCRIPT
Presented by:
Mike Kassman, Training Specialist, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research & Training
Chad Riddleberger, Captain and Technical Rescue Team Lead with Roanoke Fire-EMS, Adjunct Instructor with VA Department of Fire
Programs, and Instructor with Spec Rescue International
What Happens After a Fall is Arrested? Suspension Trauma and the Importance of
Having a Rescue Plan
1926.503 Training Requirements 1926.503(a)(1) The employer shall provide a training program
for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards.
1926.503(a)(2) The employer shall ensure
that each employee has been trained as necessary, by a competent person who is “qualified”.
Training Requirements Continued
Rescue
Chad Riddleberger Career Fire Fighter Roanoke Fire-EMS (24 years) Captain / Technical Rescue Team Lead Swift Water Team Coordinator
Virginia Department of Fire Programs Adjunct Instructor Heavy Technical Rescue Adjunct Instructor / Program Coordinator for Water
Rescue Spec Rescue International Vehicle Rescue, Confined Space, Trench, Rope,
Structural Collapse, Water Industry and Department of Defense Training
The rapid loss of consciousness followed by death due to inadequate circulation from motionless vertical suspension.
Occurs from: Any type of harness Any type of immobilization device Any other device that restricts the movement of the
legs while being suspended below the heart
There are several names for the same condition-
Orthostatic Intolerance Suspension Trauma Harness Induced Pathology Harness Hang Syndrome
Standing upright with no movement of the legs This position produces venous pooling of
blood in the legs due to gravity Sometimes called Parade Ground Fainting
The effects of orthostasis appears to vary from one person to the next
The time is takes for symptoms to start to appear will vary between individuals
Test evidence shows that given sufficient time, all persons suspended in a harness will experience orthostatic shock
Standing without moving your legs Motionless suspension in a harness
Having the body vertical with circulation
compromised
Warning Signs Faintness Sweating Paleness Hot Flashes Increased Heart Rate Nausea
Late Warning Signs Dizziness Unusually Slow
Heart Rate Unusually Low Blood
Pressure Greying or Loss of
Vision
Inability to move legs Pain Injuries during fall Fatigue Dehydration Hypothermia Shock Cardiovascular Disease Respiratory Disease Blood Loss
5 – 30 MINUTES!! Unconsciousness can occur in under ONE
Minute if conditions exist to exacerbate the lost blood flow to the brain. (OSHA)
If a person is working in a harness environment the employer should have the ability to lower a victim. (Per OSHA requirements)
If unable to lower the victim, or the working environment does not allow, then Suspension Trauma Relief system should deploy, even if the worker is unconscious. (OSHA)
Some movement of the legs is good. Over exertion will lead to quicker fatigue and a possible worsening of the situation.
Avoid pedaling, the excessive movements by the victim if possible.
imaginary bike! While the bike exercise is effective often times
the victim faints if pedaling stops. (HSE)
Lower the victim as safely as possible. If no additional trauma associated with the fall
treat as a normal syncope pt. DO NOT SIT UPRIGHT!! The brain and heart need blood flow back! NS bolus for possible Kidney Complications. Transport to facility with suspension times
documented to best of your abilities. (HSE)
Be a cheerleader for conscious victims Provide a standing surface if possible Get them to a solid surface as soon as possible Treatment
Apply high flow oxygen Keep leg straps tight Transport promptly
Hanging motionless in a harness is a dire medical emergency
Any harness can cause HHS The persons physical condition plays a role in
the time of onset
Death may be caused by unusual levels of toxins in the blood returning to the heart
Death can occur during or just after rescue
OSHA, Suspension Trauma/Orthostatic Intolerance. Washington D.C.: , 2004. Web. <http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib032404.html>.
Seddon, Paul. Harness Suspension: review and evaluation of existing information. Health and Safety Executive. Research Report 451/2002. 104 pp.
HSE, Health and Safety Executive. United Kingdom. First aid management for harness suspension when working at height. 2012. Web. <http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/harness.htm>.
Solutions
1926.502(d)(19) Personal fall arrest systems and components subjected to
impact loading shall be immediately removed from service and shall not be used again for employee protection until inspected and determined by a competent person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse.
1926.502(d)(20) The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in
the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves.
1926.502(d)(21) Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use
for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service
Overview of Available Solutions
Miller Relief Steps
Overview of Available Solutions
DBI Sala, Guardian and MSA Relief Steps
Overview of Available Solutions
Rescue Ladders
3M DBI-SALA 8516294 8' Synthetic Web Rescue Ladder with Reinforced Rigid Staggered Steps, Yellow
Overview of Available Solutions
French Creek Fall Protection
Overview of Available Solutions
PRD—DBI SALA
Training Requirements 1926.503 (C) Retraining
When an employer has reason to believe that any effected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, The employer shall retrain such employee.
Circumstances where the provision requires retraining include, but are not limited to the following situations:
1) Changes in the workplace rendering previous training obsolete; or 2) Changes in the types of fall protection systems or equipment to be used
render previous training obsolete; or 3) Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of fall
protection systems equipment indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill.
For questions related to today’s presentation, contact: Mike Kassman at [email protected] Chad Riddleberger at [email protected] For information about Spec Rescue International, contact Larry Phillips at [email protected] or 757-468-4513
QUESTIONS?